Chapter One-Hundred and Fifty-Seven

John lifted a bottle of formula to Reya's lips, allowing her to suckle on it. He gently sang to her as he waited for a doctor to check Claire over. He bounced Reya in his arms, his eyes shot through with yellow as he watched the television reports of the news.

"I hope you never lose your sense of wonder..." His voice was soft as he sang, making it the only audible noise in the room. He could feel Samantha, Sid, Maya and Asher-Zane all looking to him for guidance as to what to do… but he had no idea how to help them.

Claire hadn't spoken for over six hours, ever since Reya had been born. The kids knew something was off about their parent's, but no one would tell them what.

"Dad..." Samantha touched her father's arm, her fingers tracing over the tattoos of she and her siblings names and birthdays. "Why is Momma sad?"

John shook his head and gently bounced Reya in his arms. "She's just shocked." He kissed Samantha's head, gently combing a lock of blonde hair away from her eyes. "She'll be better soon."

Claire winced as she stepped into the bedroom, turning a death glare on John as he moved to help her. "Fuck off." She ignored the pain in his eyes, and shoved him away from her. "I don't want your fucking help."

John nodded, and backed off. "I'm sorry… my Queen." He dropped his gaze, making sure to appear submissive to her. He fought the urge to cover his privates knowing that Claire hated it when he did. "Would you like some dinner?"

"I don't care."

John laid Reya in a small rocker in Dominic's tattoo shop, and held out his arm. "Reya Noel, December 20th, 1993."

Dominic nodded and prepared his pen. "How's Claire?"

It'd been over two weeks since Reya had been born, and John was still in an off mood. His entire life had been turned upside down yet again, and the newest case he'd taken on wasn't exactly helping the situation.

"She had Postpartum Depression." John sighed, looking over at Reya as she slept. "And I've been sleeping on the couch."

"That bad, huh?"

John pressed his lips into a thin line. "Worse than I ever thought possible... she won't even hold little Starfish."

Dominic wiped some ink away from John's skin. It broke his heart to see his cousin in so much pain. "She'll come around…"